Starting a nonprofit in Georgia follows the same two milestones as anywhere else, forming a state corporation and getting federal 501(c)(3) status, but Georgia adds a newspaper publication step, an annual registration, and charity registration before you fundraise. Here is the order Georgia founders should follow.
The Georgia-specific steps
- File Articles of Incorporation with the Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, including the IRS-required purpose and dissolution language. The fee is $100 online ($110 by mail).
- Publish a Notice of Intent to Incorporate in the official legal newspaper for your county, submitted within one business day of filing. The publication fee is about $40, paid directly to the newspaper.
- Get your federal EIN from the IRS. It is free, and you need it before you can apply for tax-exempt status.
- Adopt bylaws and a conflict of interest policy that carry the same charitable purpose and dissolution language as your incorporation documents.
- Apply for federal 501(c)(3) status using Form 1023-EZ or the full Form 1023.
- Handle Georgia taxes. Georgia recognizes your federal income-tax exemption without a separate application; attach your IRS letter to your first state return. Note that Georgia generally does not exempt nonprofits from sales tax.
- Register to solicit donations with the Secretary of State's Securities and Charities Division using Form C-100 before you fundraise. Organizations raising under $25,000 that use no paid solicitor may be exempt.
Georgia fees and timelines
Georgia's incorporation fee is $100 online, plus about $40 for the required newspaper notice. You must also file an Annual Registration with the Secretary of State, an initial one within 90 days, then yearly, which is $50. Add the federal IRS user fee ($275 for the 1023-EZ or $600 for the full Form 1023). Because state fees change, confirm current amounts with the Georgia Secretary of State before filing.
A note on accuracy
State requirements and fees change over time. Use this as a roadmap, then verify current forms and amounts with Georgia's official agencies, or let us confirm them with you on a free call.
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Explore 501(c)(3) Filing →The federal step is the same everywhere
Once your Georgia corporation exists and you have an EIN, the federal 501(c)(3) application is identical to any other state. Most small nonprofits file the 1023-EZ; see our 1023 vs 1023-EZ guide to confirm which fits. For the complete national process, read our step-by-step guide to starting a nonprofit, and our cost breakdown for every fee.
Starting a nonprofit in another state?
The federal steps are the same in all 50 states; only the state incorporation, tax exemption, and charitable registration details differ. See our guides for Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, or browse all our guides. Not sure where to start? Book a free call and we will map the exact steps and current fees for your state.